Written by Ryan Wright Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG Watching Desert Pines line up during the 2017 season, it did not take long for one to notice then- sophomore Jordan Butler. Butler was that disruptive force in the Jaguars trenches clogging holes against the run and putting pressure on the opposing quarterback play after play. The results for Butler became that breakthrough season […]
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Written by Ryan Wright Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG Sometimes the smallest of things, and an unlucky play, can put the brakes on a fantastic season; that thought perhaps best summarizes the sophomore campaign for Latarious “Larry” Hill. Hill was explosive out of the backfield rushing for 423 yards off 51 carries, an 8.29 yard per carry average, with two scores posted. In […]
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Written by Ryan Wright Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG Some college scouts look for certain measurements before breaking down film on a player, but that practice may not always net the best talent. With Class of 2019 athlete LaMontrez McMillan, he is the embodiment of the old school term “football player” and will surprise you with his abilities. One has to take their […]
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Written by Ryan Wright Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG The path to Central Florida was a long and winding one for Class of 2018 long snapper Evan Dvorchik. His varsity high school career began as a freshman in Seattle expanding across the miles to two stops in Florida before committing and signing with the Knights after National Signing Day. Starting out as an […]
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Posted by Ryan Wright Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG Joseph Hodge Profile Height and Weight: 5-6, 155 Position: Slot Receiver and Running Back Classification: 2020 Recruiting Ranking: 3-Star 2018 High School: Jefferson High School – Tampa, FL 2017 High School: Tampa Catholic – Tampa, FL – Class 3A 2017 Crusaders Record: 7-4 2017 Stats (11 games): 30 carries for 282 yards […]
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Written by Ryan Wright Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG There is a reason why movies like Rocky and Rudy resonate with audiences, take something away from an athlete or tell him he cannot accomplish a goal and watch him overcome the odds with heart, raw talent, and determination. There is a similar feel coming out of St. Thomas Aquinas High School in 2018 […]
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Written by Ryan Wright Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG For good reason, there is a lot of talk about unique athletes on the high school football fields. At every position, players shine and rise above their peer group dominating in some fashion capturing the imagination along the way. That excitement in the stands and on the sidelines, has a trickle effect reaching up […]
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Posted by Ryan Wright Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG Frank Melgarejo Profile Position: Long Snapper Height and Weight: 6-1, 245 Classification: 2019 Ranking: 4.5-Star (Chris Rubio) – No. 24 in nation, No. 2 in Florida High School: American Heritage – Plantation – Florida – Class 5A 2017 Patriots Record: 14-0 (5A state champs) – No. 6 nationally ranked Interest: West […]
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Written by Ryan Wright Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG Much like on the gridiron, one has to watch Class of 2019 athlete Dane Belton closely on the recruiting trail, as things are moving fast. Belton was a standout for Jesuit (Tampa) last season at safety putting an end to 56 plays with four tackles for a loss, a forced fumble, and picked off […]
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Posted by Ryan Wright Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG Dane Belton Profile Height and Weight: 6-1.5, 186 Position: Receiver and Safety Classification: 2019 Recruiting Ranking: 3-Star High School: Jesuit – Tampa, FL – 5A 2017 Tigers Record: 6-5 2017 Stats (11 games): 56 tackles, 34 solo, four tackles for a loss, one forced fumble, and four interceptions Offense: two receptions for […]
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Written by Ryan Wright Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG Ezeriah Anderson Profile Position: Receiver Height and Weight: 6-4, 198 Classification: 2019 2017 High School: Armwood – Seffner, Florida – 6A – ranked No. 5 in Florida (Maxpreps) 2017 Hawks Record: 14-1 2017 Stats (14 games): 20 receptions for 430 yards with six touchdowns College Interest: Florida, Florida State, Western Kentucky, […]
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Written by Ryan Wright Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG All the blood, sweat, and tears put into an amazing high school career for Zack Zambrano that began as a freshman on American Heritage’s varsity squad in 2014 ended with three Florida state championships in 2017. Off the field, Zambrano carried his 6-4, 290 pound, weight a different way sporting a 4.6 GPA while […]
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Written by Ryan Wright Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG The high school career for running back Fred Jackson was dynamic from beginning to the end, but a little extra juice was displayed down the backstretch of his senior season. After rushing for an estimated 1,100 yards and 13 touchdowns during his junior season on a 1-9 Lake Minneola team, he pulled all his […]
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Written by Ryan Wright Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG The high school career of Xavier Weaver became even more interesting to track in 2017 seeing his skillset grow at receiver while adding an overall playmaker label to his resume. The Orlando Christian Prep rising star is under the radar now, but all of that is sure to change during the spring evaluation period. […]
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Written by Ryan Wright Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG The high school football career for Class of 2018 center Zack Zambrano has truly been impressive. The American Heritage star lineman has won three Florida state titles in four years earning a spot at the varsity level as a freshman and going back-to-back in 2016 and 2017 with wins over Ponte Vedra (35-33) and […]
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Written by Ryan Wright Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG If a high school player can get it done on the field against Florida 7A competition, easy bet they can get it done at the next level wherever they decide to go. As the overall talents and athleticism of Class of 2019 athlete/outside linebacker Stephone Atkinson expand, he is writing his own ticket to […]
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Written by Ryan Wright Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG Some people in life seem to fly along under a lucky star reaping the benefits of privileged opportunities not readily available to most. The first glance may seem like a walk down “easy street” but a deeper look shows hard work and determination blazing a path towards greatness – the opportunities that are being […]
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Written by Ryan Wright Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG The 2017 campaign is starting out the same way the 2016 season ended for Class of 2018 running back Fred Jackson, and that is making opposing 7A Florida defenses look silly. Jackson is facing eight- and nine-man fronts but is still finding a way to be one of the most explosive runners in the […]
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Written by Ryan Wright Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG Shocking how the game of football can work from time to time, especially when trying to understand what college coaches put a point of emphasis on during the recruiting process. The mentality of needing a stud left tackle has seemingly blinded coaches to the importance of the engine that drives any offensive line forward […]
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Written by Ryan Wright Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG If Evander Holyfield met Fred Jackson, he would call him “The Real Deal.” If “The Flash” was capable of jumping off the comic book pages, a game of tag between the superhero and Lake Minneola’s running back would be entertainment for hours eventually ending in a stalemate without one being able to touch the […]
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Written by Ryan Wright Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG Any college football program with conference title aspirations located in the south, southeast, or along the Atlantic coast must recruit the Sunshine State, and recruit it well. The state of Florida is one of the best in the nation at churning out Division I prospects, especially at the skill positions. The amount of athletes […]
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Written by Ryan Wright Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG Anytime a freshman can see time on the gridiron at the varsity level, something special is happening. That little piece of extraordinary talent and effort notches up a bit when placing the rising talent on the football field in Florida against 6A competition. Ladies and gentlemen, meet Class of 2020 running back/slot receiver Yasias […]
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Written by Ryan Wright Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG Seems that there is not too much Jordan McCloud cannot do on the field with the ball in his hands. The dual-threat quarterback threw for 2,300 yards connecting on 24 touchdown passes while rushing for three more with Sickles High School during his junior year, but has a new challenge ahead of him in […]
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Written by Ryan Wright Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG Joey Gatewood Profile Position: Quarterback/Athlete Height and Weight: 6-5, 234 Classification: 2018 Ranking: 4-Star (consensus) High School: Bartram Trail – Jacksonville, Florida – 7A 2016 Bears Record: 8-5 2016 Stats (13 games): 59-of-87, 716 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions; 93 carries for 753 rushing yards and 11 additional scores; 25 receptions […]
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Written by Ryan Wright Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG Daelen Menard Profile Position: Quarterback Height and Weight: 6-0, 185 Classification: 2019 2016 High School: Chaminade Madonna – Miami, FL – 3A 2016 Lions Team Record: 11-5 2016 Stat Line (10 games): 60-of-92 passing (.652 completion), 957 yards, four touchdowns, and two picks; 25 carries, 247 yards, and one touchdown 2015 High […]
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Written by Ryan Wright Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG If curious about one of the best high school teams in the country perhaps not getting the national publicity of Bishop Gorman, De La Salle, St. John Bosco, or IMG Academy, look to St. Thomas Aquinas. Over the past two seasons the Raiders have been a dominating force posting a 13-1 record in 2015 […]
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Written by Ryan Wright Twitter: @HogManInLA As the old football expression goes, speed kills and every year out of the high school ranks the state of Florida ‘kills it’ on the recruiting trail at the skill positions. The 2018 class is no different, especially at running back with the likes of Lorenzo Lingard (Miami), TJ Pledger (Oklahoma), James Cook (Florida […]
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Posted by Ryan Wright Twitter: @HogManInLA TJ Pledger Profile Height and Weight: 5-9, 195 Position: Running Back Classification: 2018 Ranking: 4-star (consensus) 2016 High School: Chaminade (Los Angeles, CA) – Mission League 2016 Eagles Record: 8-4 2016 Stats: 231 carries, 1,881 yards, and 32 touchdowns; 20 receptions for 221 yards with two scores 2017 High School: IMG Academy […]
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Posted by Ryan Wright Twitter: @HogManInLA TJ Pledger Profile Height and Weight: 5-9, 195 Position: Running Back Classification: 2018 Ranking: 4-star (consensus) 2016 High School: Chaminade (Los Angeles, CA) – Mission League 2016 Eagles Record: 8-4 2016 Stats: 231 carries, 1,881 yards, and 32 touchdowns; 20 receptions for 221 yards with two scores 2017 High School: IMG Academy […]
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Written by Ryan Wright Twitter: @HogManInLA The off-season push for college football teams to get recruits on campus for unofficial visits is now in full swing. Any time a college coach can sell the program and value of their educational system while walking room to room or location to location on campus is invaluable. For any school lucky enough to […]
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